I then tried Jamie Eason’s Pumpkin Protein Barsand despite my incredible inability to bake, they actually turned out quite well. This past weekend, I wanted to try something a little different so I got a little creative in the kitchen and played around with a few protein bar recipes.

Pumpkin Banana Protein Oat Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 C oats
• 1 C canned pumpkin
• 1/4 C unsweetened applesauce
• 1 overripe banana
• 1/4 C almond butter (any nut butter will do)
• 2 scoops protein powder (I used Sunwarrior Vanilla)
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2 T brown sugar
• 2 T pumpkin seeds

Directions:In a food processor or blender, combine the pumpkin, applesauce, banana and nut butter until smooth. Add the protein powder, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, and brown sugar.

Place the oats in a large bowl and add the creamed mixture. Stir, folding in the pumpkin seeds.

Spray a 9 X 13 baking pan and spread the mixture evenly in the pan. Bake at 350* for 35-40 minutes.

Nutritional Info: (Makes 24 small square servings) Calories: 56g, Total Fat, 2.3g, Carbohydrates: 6.3g, Protein: 3g, Fiber: 1g

These aren’t overly sweet which I prefer. They kind of remind me of pumpkin baked oatmeal which honestly is exactly what I was looking for when I came up with this recipe. I store mine in the fridge and grab a few each day and keep them with me as a great snack before or after the gym.

Hope you enjoy!